Sponsor ends backing of Saltman brothers

The decision, which has been made just over 12 months after a new three-year deal was struck, is described as a "mutual agreement" and follows Aegon carrying out a review that has resulted in job losses and cost-cutting of 25 per cent across its business.

It also comes, however, in the wake of Elliot being handed a three-month ban by the European Tour after he was found guilty of a "serious breach" of the rules during a Challenge Tour event in Russia last September.

While continuing to maintain his innocence, which he claimed was backed up after he passed a "lie-detector" test, the 28-year-old decided against lodging an appeal, which George O'Grady, the European Tour chief executive, confirmed recently could have resulted in a longer ban if unsuccessful.

However, it is no secret that there were concerns over how the incident would affect Elliot commercially, with sponsors known to be sensitive to being attached to "bad news" stories, as Tiger Woods found out when he was dumped by some of his backers in the wake of the scandal that unfolded in his private life.

Elliot, the oldest of the brothers, and Lloyd, a former Walker Cup player who won the Siver Medal as leading amateur in the 2005 Open Championship at St Andrews, have been sponsored by Aegon since 2007, with Zack joining "Team Saltman" two years later when he also turned professional. The company enjoyed increased exposure when Elliot and Lloyd both qualified for the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry and also when they made history by becoming the first brothers to secure their European Tour cards at the same Qualifying school last December.

But, while committed to maintaining its sponsorship of tennis from grass-roots level through to the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen's Club, Aegon has now decided to pull the plug on its backing of all three Saltman siblings.

In a statement issued yesterday, the company said that "a mutual agreement was reached following careful consideration by both parties".

It added: "Aegon has supported all three Saltman brothers, Elliot, Lloyd and Zack, from the start of each of their professional careers and is proud of the progress each of the brothers has made in that time. In particular, Aegon was pleased to see both Elliot and Lloyd secure their European Tour cards at the same Qualifying School in December last year.Aegon wishes Elliot, Lloyd and Zack every success in their future careers."

The statement made no reference to the disciplinary action taken against Elliot after he was accused of wrongly replacing his ball by his two playing partners during the M2M Russian Challenge in Moscow last year.

Asked about that, a spokeswoman told The Scotsman: "The decision was made as a result of Aegon's review of cost-saving measures across the business, which included a review of our sponsorship portfolio. Aegon announced a big cost-cutting exercise last year. We had to make cuts of 25 per cent across the whole business. One of the areas for review was sponsorship. Today's announcement is a result of talks with the Saltman family over the last few months. We came to an amicable decision to end the agreement with the Saltman family."

"We've been with the brothers since the beginning. We had a great four years and we helped get Elliot and Lloyd to the European Tour.

"It was a natural time to end our association. British tennis will remain our core sponsorship asset from grass-roots and parks tennis, right through to the Aegon Tour."

While many businesses have been cutting their cloth in these recession-haunted times, it is highly unusual for a sponsored sports person to mutually agree to ending a deal, unless a better one has been set up with another backer. What is also noteworthy is that Aegon have cut their links with the Saltmans at a time when Elliot and Lloyd have just secured European Tour cards for the first time.

In Lloyd's case, the loss of a main sponsor will be a major blow. His form had faded after being one of the game's hot properties six years ago but he's started to find his best form again and has joined the likes of Rory Mclroy and Rhys Davies on the top circuit. Yesterday's statement also included the following reaction from "Team Saltman". "We are very grateful for the support Aegon has given all of us - Elliot, Lloyd and Zack - since the start of each of our professional golfing careers.

"Aegon's support has given each of us the financial backing we needed to give us the best possible start to our professional careers and we are proud of the faith the company has shown in our abilities. We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Aegon and thank them for their support."

Jack Saltman, father and manager of the three brothers, added: "Aegon have given the boys an absolutely massive start. Without their support they would not be where they are today."

In golf, the company also sponsor former Masters champion Zach Johnson while women's major winner Catriona Matthew was also once backed by Aegon as well at one point.

When asked if he thought Elliot's three-month ban, which is up in the middle of next month, had played a part in the decision by Aegon to end its sponsorship of his three sons, Saltman Snr added: "It's not anything to do with that situation."

When asked about future sponsorship, he said: "I suppose we will look for other sponsorship, but it's difficult."